about it; neither do I believe any other person can, except that our fleet was destroyed and our army routed. General Lovell and others are now under examination. What will arise from ignorant militia-men being examined. by an ignorant court 't is impossible to tell. Indeed it is all hearsay that our people have not succeeded there, no account from any authority having been published. Nobody can give any. Capt Saltonstall refused for some time to give any account before white wigs. He said he was to be tryed by other authority. Nothing is more natural than for an old soldier to despise men in civil life who have never smelled powder and whom he looks upon as cowards. But to be brought to answer for his conduct in the field before such men is intollerable! The indelicacy with which Col. Revere was treated by the Council in the manner of his arrest would have disgraced a sergeant in the army of General Washington. I attended the funeral of poor Loring a fortnight ago, who died of a fever after twenty days sickness. I am, Sir, your friend and most humble servt. Hon. M. G. HEATH. PAUL REVERE* TO WILLIAM HEATH. BOSTON, October 24, 1779. SIR, -A history of our unfortunate expedition to Penobscot may not be disagreeable to you. I should have *Paul Revere, of French descent, was born in Boston Jan. 1, 1735, and died there May 10, 1818. He zealously espoused the American side in the controversy with the mother country, acquired great influence with the Boston mechanics, and was much trusted by the popular leaders. After the failure of the Penobscot Expedition, charges were filed against him "for disobedience of orders during said expedition and for unsoldierlike behavior tending to cowardice and disobedience of his superior officer." After repeated investigations which failed to produce a definite decision, a Court Martial was, at Revere's request, finally ordered in February, 1782, more than two years after the event. He was tried on two charges, first, for refusing to deliver a boat to the order of General Wadsworth, aud, second, "for his leaving Penobscot River without orders from his commanding officer." given it to you before this; but the dificuties I have met with has prevented me. The provision that was made for it by the State; your late worthy secratary I know communicated to you. The first Resolve of Court for ordinance and stores, (altho' Gen' Lovel was one of the Committe) was 2-18 pours, 3-9 prs, one 51/2 inch howitz, four brass field-pieces 4 p", and one hundred rounds for each piece. After I was appointed to command the artill' I apply for 6-18 pTM with four huna rounds for each gun, two 9 p, 300 rounds for each, two howitzs 512 inch, one huna rounds each; four field pieces, (two heavy French fours and two of our light ones) which was granted. I should have applyed for some mortars, but I knew the State was not possessed of any; indeed what they had granted appeared so large that they were obliged to rob the castle of 85 barrells of powder. And by the best accounts the enemy had not begun any fort. We sailed from Nantasket July 19th. Arrived at Townsend 21st, where we found the ship Hampden, next day we were joyned by ship Charming Sally, briggs Pallas and Active, and sloop Providence, which made up the fleet. Warren 32 guns, 18 and 12 pTM; Hampden 20, 9 and 6 pTM; Putnam 20, 9 ps; Charming Salley 20, 9 and 6 prs; Vengence 20, 6 p'; Black Prince 20, 6 prs; Monmouth 20, 6 prs; Hector 18, 6 p3; Hunter 18, 4 p"; Sky Rocket 16, 4 pr; six briggs, one sloop, and 18 transports. The 22a in the afternoon, the General reviewed his troops. By the returns he had 872 rank and file, (here I found a 12 pr The Court found that the first charge was proved, but owing to extenuating circumstances acquitted him. On the second charge the Court acquitted him on the ground that the whole army was in great confusion, and so scattered and dispersed that no regular orders were or could be given." (See Appleton's Cyclopædia of American Biography, vol. v. pp. 224, 225; Goss's Life of Paul Revere, vol. ii. pp. 317-376. See also Proceedings of the Weymouth Historical Society, vol. i., and the remarks by the President of this Society in 2 Proceedings, vol. xii. pp. 200-202.) Both before and after the war Revere was actively engaged in mechanical and business pursuits, being known as a goldsmith, an engraver on type-metal and copper, a founder of bells and cannon, and a manufacturer of sheet copper. In these various capacities he showed much energy and business ability, his estate being appraised after his death at upward of $20,000. — Eds. on a field carrige which procured and about 84 rounds for it. This was all the field carrige I had for any thing heavier than a 4 p.) In the evening he called a council of warr; as it was an epitome of the whole campaigne, I shall be a little particular. They met about 8 o'clock, the Gen1 and Commodr, field officers of the army, and сарtains of the armed vessels. There was nothing proposed, and of consequence nothing done. It was more like a meeting in the Coffee House, than a council of war. There was no President appointed, nor any minutes taken; after disputing about nothing two hours it was broke up. We sailed for Penobscot the 24th, and came to anchor off Magabigwaduce the 25th, about 5 o'clock, P. M. When we got near we could see that the enemy had a fort near the centre of the peninsula, and four ships lay across the mouth of the harbour, a fort on the island opposite, and two redoubts near the water, as you will see by the plan.* Several of our ships stand in towards the enemy and fire there broad sides at about a mile distance. The General orders 350 of the militia to land under Brig Wadsworth, as soon as they got near the shore, which was covered with a thick wood, the enemy fire upon them out of the wood, they are orderd to return, we loose one Indian. The 26th a council on board the Commodore, it is agreed to attack the island, the marines to attack, the militia to cover them, which was effected that after noon; the enemy on our aproach spiked up their cannon and pushed off, we threw up a barbet battery for two 18 ps and a 12, which obliged the enemy to remove their ships. The 27th another council on board the Comdr, when it is agreed to land on Magabigwaduce next morning, which was done by sun rise, the 28th. The marines and some militia on the right comm" by Brig" Wadsworth, militia on the left. I landed with my men without cannon, but with their small *The plan, of which an exact facsimile is here given, was on a separate sheet, and was evidently drawn by Revere himself. - EDS. |